Shloka 4.40.23

पूर्वदिशि सीतामार्गण-नियोगः (Deployment to the Eastern Quarter for the Search of Sita)

Devanagari script

नदीं भागीरथीं रम्यां सरयूं कौशिकीं तथा।।4.40.20।।कालिन्दीं यमुनां रम्यां यामुनं च महागिरिम्।सरस्वतीं च सिन्धुं च शोणं मणिनिभोदकम्।।4.40.21।।महीं कालमहीं चैव शैलकाननशोभिताम्।ब्रह्ममालान्विदेहांश्च मालवान्कालिकोसलान्।।4.40.22।।मागधांश्च महाग्रामान्पुण्ड्रांन्वङ्गां स्तथैव च।पत्तनं कोशकाराणां भूमिं च रजताकराम्।।4.40.23।।

Transliteration

māgadhāṃś ca mahāgrāmān puṇḍrān vaṅgāṃs tathaiva ca |

pattanaṃ kośakārāṇāṃ bhūmiṃ ca rajatākarām ||4.40.23||

Translation

Search among the Magadhas and their great settlements; likewise in Puṇḍra and Vaṅga; in the port-town of the silk-workers, and in the land famed for its silver-mines.

Context

'Look for Sita in the beautiful places on rivers Bhagirathi, Sarayu, Kausiki and Kalindi, on the great mountains adjacent to river Yamuna, banks of rivers Saraswati, Sindhu, Sona with crystalclear waters, the country of Mahim and Kalamahi adorned with mountains and forests. Proceed to Brahmamala, Videha, Malava, Kasi, Kosala and Maghada with great villages, the country of Pundram, Vanga, the country famous for silk worms and the land with silver caves. (It is the eastern direction of river Saravati between Himavat and Vindhya and not east of Kiskinda)

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Magadha
• Puṇḍra
• Vaṅga
• Kośakāra (silk-workers)
• Rajatākara (silver-mines/land)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is impartial diligence: one must search across all social and economic zones—villages, ports, and mining lands—without bias or omission.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva completes a sweep of eastern regions, including populous and commercially notable areas, to prevent gaps in the search.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Thoroughness—an ethical form of care, showing that Sītā’s recovery is pursued with complete seriousness.